Teen Depression and Autism: Unique Challenges, Effective Strategies for Support
Upcoming Webinar
Airing Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm ET
In this webinar, you’ll learn how to recognize and respond to depression symptoms in autistic teens from our expert presenter, Sara Rodrigues, DSW, LICSW. We’ll explore practical strategies for assessment and treatment that respect sensory needs and individual communication styles. You’ll learn practical approaches to support your teen’s mental health, including building positive identity and developing personalized emotional recognition tools.
A place to learn
At Families for Depression Awareness (FFDA), we focus on the families of people living with depression or bipolar disorder ("mood disorders"), equipping family caregivers with education and training so they can provide effective, constructive support to their loved ones.
Mood disorders affect everyone in a family, not only those with the diagnosis. Each family member should be able to have their needs identified and addressed.
In addition to passing along a higher likelihood of having a mood disorder, parents living with a mood disorder can find it hard to engage with their children, take care of household chores, do their work, and sometimes even to get out of bed.
Family caregivers risk wearing themselves out as they help their loved one seek treatment, manage the household and the family, and try to keep a roof over their heads.
Since our beginning, we have shared family stories to help caregivers feel like they are not alone, show that families can address mood disorders together, inspire hope, and dispel stigma. Each year, we add to our library of honest and inspiring accounts of families facing the challenges of mood disorders and suicide.
Comprendiendo la DepresÃon en los Adolescentes
Cuando los adultos están capacitados para reconocer la depresión adolescente e intervenir con técnicas efectivas, los adolescentes con depresión tienden a tener mejores resultados. Este seminario web proporciona una descripción general de qué es la depresión adolescente; estrategias de comunicación para adolescentes y padres; Opciones de tratamiento; dónde conseguir ayuda; y qué hacer si se rechaza la ayuda. Si está preocupado por un adolescente, es nuevo en el tema, busca educación de manera proactiva o necesita un repaso sobre la depresión adolescente, este seminario web es para usted.
Bipolar Disorder and Genetics: What Caregivers Need to Know
Family caregivers of people living with bipolar disorder benefit from understanding as much as they can about genetics. During this expert interview, we explored what caregivers need to know about how bipolar disorder occurs in families, the role of genetics in bipolar disorder, and what signs are important, especially in young adults.
Sharing Mental Health Information in Your Family
Do mental health conditions run in your family? It’s common for depression or bipolar disorder to exist across generations and relatives, appearing on various branches of a family tree. Research shows that many mental health conditions are inheritable. In fact, people with a family history of depression can be two to three times more likely to live with depression, compared to the general population.
Tips for Supporting the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Family Members
Family support can mean a world of difference to members of the LGBTQ+ community. Learn tips on what you can do to help improve the mental health of your LGBTQ+ family members.